NBA Commissioner Adam Silver intervened in the WNBA's disciplinary process regarding an incident involving Caitlin Clark, according to a report by Sports Business Journal citing multiple sources. The report claims that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was initially hesitant to suspend Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for a flagrant foul on Indiana Fever star Clark on June 24.
Thomas was ultimately suspended for one game and fined $1,000 for the incident, which saw her strike Clark in the throat. However, the sources allege that Engelbert did not intend to issue a suspension until Silver persuaded her to reconsider. Silver reportedly believed there was clear evidence of a flagrant foul and expressed concern for Clark, urging Engelbert to take action.
According to the report, Engelbert's initial reluctance stemmed from the fact that no foul was called on the court at the time of the play, leading her to believe a subsequent suspension would be excessive. A source close to Engelbert told Sports Business Journal that league personnel commonly make recommendations for discipline after potential flagrant foul calls.
The report also suggests that Silver's intervention may signal ongoing discussions about Engelbert's long-term future as WNBA Commissioner. Silver, who has led the NBA for over a decade, praised the WNBA's progress under Engelbert's leadership but acknowledged that future discussions about her role would continue. Engelbert has been Commissioner of the WNBA since 2019.
Engelbert has faced scrutiny in recent weeks, partly due to the league's response to the incident involving Clark. This has led to criticism from some who believe the league has not adequately protected its star player. A group of 11 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Engelbert demanding accountability for what they described as "multiple attacks" on Clark.
Engelbert also recently drew criticism for canceling a scheduled interview with radio host Dan Patrick. The interview was reportedly canceled at the behest of the WNBA's PR team, according to Patrick, who stated he and his producers waited for nearly two hours for the scheduled appearance. Engelbert was at the ACC Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe when the cancellation occurred.
Insiders suggest that the intense attention Clark has received since entering the league has created underlying tensions, with some veteran players feeling that Clark has been given preferential treatment. These sentiments, potentially amplified by jealousy and racial dynamics, are said to be contributing to the current drama within the league. The WNBA has largely aimed to maintain neutrality to avoid appearing to favor any single player.